Storytelling • Photography • Web • Social Media

Category: Writing

This multimedia longread about a group of Westman veterans is the culmination of months of video interviews, international phone calls, and historical research. The project included a five-page spread in the paper and a series of mini documentaries. It went live on June 6, 2016 — the 72nd anniversary of D-Day.

I wrote the article, edited the videos (shot by Colin Corneau) and helped promote the project website (created by Andrew Nguyen). In September 2016, the project was awarded an EPPY Award for best news or event feature video and in March 2017, Knights of D-Day was nominated as a Canadian Association of Journalists awards finalist.

Alex Harris was kept at a tuberculosis sanatorium in Ninette along with George Pelletier in their youth. (Colin Corneau/The Brandon Sun)

While the experiences of indigenous patients in Manitoba’s racially segregated tuberculosis treatment centres are less well-known than those of residential school survivors, they share many disturbing similarities. After connecting with researchers from The University of Winnipeg, I wrote a series of articles for The Brandon Sun aimed at shedding light the abuse suffered at Manitoba’s sanitoria.

I heard first-hand accounts from former patients George Pelletier and Alex Harris — featured in the story after the jump — and Catherine Mason. Many other patients, family members and sanatoria employees contacted the paper after the series was published.

Through a lengthy Freedom of Information request, this data-driven project uncovered a growing doctor shortage in rural Western Manitoba and provided insight into the continuous problem of doctor retention in small towns. This article ran in The Brandon Sun in April 2016.

In December 2015, a seniors home in downtown Minnedosa was the target of upgrades and renovations by Manitoba Housing. The residents were surprised to receive eviction notices ahead of the New Year. A follow-up seven months later revealed construction had yet to begin at the provincially-run complex.

Jeannette Holm sits in her suite at Sokol Manor. Holm came to Canada 70-years-ago, in 1946, at the age of 20 as a war bride. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

During my time reporting for The Brandon Sun, I got many opportunities to talk with people who lived through the Second World War. Learning about the plight of the European War Brides who settled in rural Manitoba was a particularly interesting perspective. This article was published in The Brandon Sun on July 7, 2016.

The story of Charlie the crow and his human caretaker is a heartwarming example of human kindness and animal connection. It ruffled more than a few feathers — in the best possible way — and attracted media attention from as far away as Winnipeg.

This story ran in The Brandon Sun on August 15, 2015, and was republished in the Winnipeg Free Press.

The birth of a white buffalo calf on a Westman First Nation allowed me to explore Dakota Sioux traditions and speak with community leaders about the importance of the new herd member. This article appeared in The Brandon Sun in May 2016.